On Monday, February 10, the presentation of the men’s and women’s teams of Sydney Olympic FC achieved great success ahead of the start of the 2025 NPL season.
The Greek Herald, present at the event, brings you the festive atmosphere with photos and statements from officials and players.
The event took place at the Canterbury Leagues Club in Belmore, with official guests, club officials, and football players present. The presentation was conducted by Roy O’Donovan, the well-known striker of the team, and the Media Manager Caleb Gama.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Takis Triadafillou.
The presentation was accompanied by speeches from the men’s team coach Labinot Haliti, the women’s team coach Guillermo Rubio, as well as players from both the men’s and women’s teams of Sydney Olympic. Additionally, a historical retrospective video of the Sydney Olympic team was presented.
President Damon Hatzimanolis said this year marks his 10th year on the Board and it was his “most special one so far.”
President Damon Hatzimanolis.
“While the two championships are wonderful, this year feels different. From the presentations of the youth jerseys to the review of the club’s history, it has been a unique experience. As a child, I spent time with my father here, and those moments taught me a lot. I am incredibly proud to lead the club now,” Mr Hatzimanolis said.
The President also thanked all the players and people who worked hard behind the scenes to prepare for the new season.
“My message is simple: First, play for your club. Without it, we are nothing. Second, play for your team. The whole is stronger than the individual. Third, play for yourself. Find your own meaning in the game and make the most of your talent,” Mr Hatzimanolis said.
“Let’s go for the win this year and prove the critics wrong.”
Melbourne’s most loved Antipodes Festival is just around the corner, and anticipation is building for another joyous celebration of all things Greek. For the past 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of playing a small part in what has been described as “the biggest Greek festival outside of Greece.”
It’s a joy to share some memories of the remarkable people who have contributed to this special event. It warms the cockles of my heart to share some memories on a stroll down memory lane at the Antipodes Festival.
The anticipation is palpable during bump-in. Traffic management is key, and we appreciate Billy’s efforts in making it all run smoothly. His enthusiasm is infectious with a smile as bright as his vest!
Pre-dawn mornings are spent overseeing the erection of stalls and stages, ensuring the signage is just right. Christina’s eagle eye is invaluable in catching any last-minute adjustments, setting things right.
An event of this scale relies on expert electrical work. Claude from Clams Electrical has been a festival mainstay for years, even longer than me. His energy seems boundless and I wonder how he has not aged a day – latinos do voodoo, I wonder?
Our favourite vendors front up bright and early each year – Rose and John Houndalas of “Greek Trojan Yiros” are worthy of the name. Always smiling, and the aroma of charcoal grilling on Saturday morning is a treat in itself.
On the other side of the precinct, Vicky from Hellenic Wines and Spirits and Alex from the magnificent Salona/Kafeneion duopoly set up their food demonstrations, and I am salivating already. Shout out to my friend Fotini Kleftogiannis, an exceptional volunteer in this area.
As we stroll through the precinct, certain individuals stand out. Arthur Poporis is a festival favourite; if I had a drachma for every photo he’s asked to take, I could pay off Greece’s national debt quite easily!
Part of the magic is in the street’s vibrant colours showcasing the rich tapestry of proud Hellas, wonderfully displayed. The community’s spirit shines bright from the photogenic Evelyn Darzanos to the legendary Dimitrios Varnias, who proudly flies the Epirote flag, and his protégé, Dean Kalymniou, the absolute behemoth of our community, to whom I say: My glitsa is your crook…
Familiar faces appear throughout the day. Roula, whose enthusiasm is contagious as “KK rocks Antipodes,” and Greek Community of Melbourne board member Vicky Kyritsis are always smiling. I’d love to take a selfie with Vicky’s husband, Jim Claven, a part-time historian and all-around great guy.
The lads gather for coffee and conversation, whether it be gossip or not I cannot tell. Fellow board member Marinis Pirpiris and media personality Nicolas Loupos are among them.
The festival has a strong relationship with media outlets. I’m proud to call Mary Tsimiklis and super Spartan Dimitri Eco friends, and they agree I have a fine face for radio.
Mambo, as she calls herself, brings joy to everyone she meets. Her distinctive Chyprocker accent is part of her charm, and will make you smile.
The festival draws people from across the nation. In Kalla – we here have produced our very special combination of Jerry Springer, Steve Price and Kevin Bartlett. I don’t know if it’s the climate, rabbit stew or the Robola wine, but they breed them differently in Kefalonia and we are all the better for it!
Traveling to the majestic Crete in spirit, we celebrate the island’s vibrant traditions. While the Xylouris boys are musical sensations, Kath, Niki, and Joanna can perform a mesmerising pendozali dance that would make your head spin. I admire their energy, as my own languid dancing style is better suited to the tsamiko.
Speaking of dancing, some take it very seriously. For me, a hanky for the circle dances is enough. Others find their zen on stage.
On the way to the dance area, I bump into the charming Aristea and her strapping young son, James.
As a devoted optometrist, I’m pleased to see one of my favourite patients, George Lekakis, is in the hood with specs, made by yours truly. They suit him so very nicely.
Content in the knowledge that at least one person can see the world a little better today, we are stopped in our tracks by greatness: Big Ange – I doffs my cap to you and your enormous exploits. Tsambion!
At the main stage, the pre-show buzz is underway as the “afrocream” mills about. The formalities are nearly underway, and I find myself lucky enough to have a chat with Helen Kapalos of the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the dear, sweet Tammy Iliou. What a fine woman, what a wonderful family, one and all – Yanna and Atticus – uncle LDV loves you very much!
And so on the stage we go: LDV and inimitable Anthi Sidiropoulos. After a deep breath, with our serious faces on, we introduce the dignitaries, including Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis and fellow board member and uber nice guy, Nick Dallas.
The Greek Community of Melbourne is apolitical and embraces everyone – we’ll vote for you if you’re good value. We appreciate the long-time support of City of Melbourne Councillor Kevin Louey, former Lord Mayor (and English teacher par excellence) Robert Doyle, and previous minister Jenny Mikakos, the board of Optometry’s finest recruit. We’ve also had the pleasure of meeting former senator Arthur Sinodinos, a lovely Kefalonian bloke whose knowledge of pittes is second to none. The festival has been honoured by visits from Prime Ministers Turnbull, Morrison, and our current PM Anthony Albanese, and, of course, the unforgettable Jules on that particularly blessed night – be still, my beating heart!
Professor Nick Papastergiadis watches the proceedings, clearly pleased, and Nina Athans inspires us with her unwavering support and determination to make the world a happier place no matter what.
A spectacle like this requires the hard work, tenacity, passion and dedication of countless staff and volunteers, indefatigable, they move mountains to present something very special indeed. They are the heart of the Antipodes Festival, a beacon of multiculturalism.
Meg Smith, your name might be the most non-Hellenic ever but you never disappoint – “always worthy” as they say in my parts. Tonia Tsamis, if it turns out that you are in fact a bunny powered by Energizer batteries, I for one won’t be surprised. I have it on very good authority that fellow board member and outrageously top bloke Jim Bossinakis agrees, and Kyrie Vasili, you are a lionhearted man and we thank you for that, too.
Words can’t fully express the Menides family’s impact on the festival and the Greek Community.
And so, another Antipodes Festival done and dusted. My thanks to the wonderful team that makes it happen each year. Once that bus rolls through Lonsdale Street at 5:08 am, LDV can finally rest. (And thanks to Dean Kotsianis for capturing that memorable image that is now burnt on my retinae.)
This year’s Antipodes festival is being held on Saturday, February 22 to Sunday, February 23. For more details visit: www.antipodesfestival.com.au
The Art Gallery of New South Wales is hosting ARTEXPRESS 2025, a vibrant exhibition celebrating the outstanding artworks of Year 12 visual arts students from across New South Wales.
Running from February 6 to April 27 2025, the exhibition highlights exceptional student work created for the HSC Visual Arts exam in 2024.
ARTEXPRESS offers a diverse range of artistic expressions, with students exploring 12 different forms, including ceramics, painting, sculpture, textiles, graphic design and more.
Since 1989, the Art Gallery has partnered with the NSW Department of Education and NESA to showcase these young artists.
Artwork by Mia Tzannes. Photo: Art Gallery of NSW.
One notable artist featured in the 2025 exhibition is Mia Tzannes, a student from Willoughby Girls High School. Her work, titled μιας (meaning “one” in Greek), delves into themes of twinship and identity.
In her series of drawings, Mia and her twin are pictured “in nearly identical but subtly varied outfits and positions.”
“My intention was to convey our innate duality as well as the paradox of the tension between our inseparable bond and the pursuit of an individual identity,” she explained about the artwork.
Influenced by artists such as René Magritte and Wendy Sharpe, Mia’s work invites reflection on duality, connection, and selfhood in today’s individualistic world.
Greek Australian entrepreneur George Moulos has successfully completed his “March Across Greece,” setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of mainland Greece on foot.
Walking from Ormenio to Cape Tainaron over 26 days, Moulos averaged an impressive 44 km per day, finishing the 1,200 km trek in 26 days, 4 hours, and 15 minutes.
The initiative, which ran from November 7 to December 3, 2024, was not only a world record attempt, but also a grassroots effort to support Hellenic communities. Moulos aimed to raise funds for local orphanages and charities, focusing on the youth of Greece.
He documented his journey through daily stories on YouTube and Instagram, amplifying the voices of local Greeks and shedding light on the challenges faced by these communities.
While the Guinness World Record was a major achievement, Moulos tells The Greek Herald the true rewards came from his connections with locals.
“It was one thing to get the Guinness World Record, another to hang out with my mate for a month in my country, and even better to raise money for Greek orphanages,” he reflected.
“But if I’m honest, the best part was meeting all the farmers, cafe and restaurant owners, and locals in each town and city. Listening to their stories and seeing what Greece is really like – not just the hustle of Athens.”
The trek was not without its challenges. Moulos encountered mountain ranges, rivers, over 50 police stops, illegal immigrants, and the inherent danger of walking on Greece’s roads.
“For all the boundaries we encountered, it was the overregulation and unnecessary rules of Greece that brought us more worry than anything else,” he said.
“It’s ironic, because you’d assume all this regulation would mean safer roads, but we have some of the most dangerous roads in Europe.”
Looking ahead, Moulos shared that his love for Greece has deepened.
“I loved exploring my country and really talking with the people,” he said.
“I’ve moved permanently to Athens now and set up a production studio where I’m doubling down on content. I might run for the Greek parliament, EU parliament or just keep going on adventures but I know for sure Greece is home now.”
All funds raised from the campaign were directed to Greek orphanages, with Moulos’ business, Ecommerce-Brokers.com, covering the journey’s expenses. His efforts have inspired others across Europe to take action in addressing social issues and creating positive change.
Moulos’ “March Across Greece” stands as a testament to both physical endurance and the power of grassroots activism, showcasing the resilience of the Greek people and the importance of community support.
In celebration of International Greek Language Day, the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools organised a series of activities last week, highlighting the significance and richness of the Greek language.
International Greek Language Day, which was established in 2017 and is celebrated annually on February 9, honours the memory of the poet Dionysios Solomos, who died on that day. Solomos wrote the words to the Hymn to Liberty, which became the Greek National anthem.
This day aims to showcase the importance of the Greek language as a fundamental pillar of world culture and to promote its preservation and dissemination among younger generations, both in Greece and the diaspora.
The messages of the day served as an inspiration for teachers and students of the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools, who engaged in various educational activities related to the Greek language.
Specifically, during school assemblies across all campuses, teachers read to parents and students selected quotes from prominent figures of literature and culture about the value and contribution of the Greek language to world civilisation.
Additionally, throughout the first week of school, lessons were dedicated to the global significance of the Greek language. Younger students, together with their teachers, created hats featuring the phrase “I am happy to be learning Greek,” actively participating in the celebration of the Greek language.
Furthermore, on Tuesday, February 4, students from the Bentleigh campus had the opportunity to attend an online meeting with renowned children’s book author Vangelis Iliopoulos. The beloved writer spoke to the students about the importance of the Greek language, offering them valuable knowledge and inspiration.
Similarly, at the City campus, students attended lessons in Greek Sign Language, fostering inclusion and exploring language from different perspectives.
These initiatives reaffirm the commitment of the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools to the preservation, promotion, and cultivation of the Greek language and culture for future generations.
A duck hunting event scheduled for February 26 at Oakleigh Grammar in Melbourne has been cancelled after it was revealed organisers planned to raffle off a firearm.
The Victorian Duck Hunters Association had arranged an information night at the school hall, but Oakleigh Grammar cancelled the event following concerns raised by duck rescuers.
The school, which rents out its hall through a booking system, was unaware of the specific details, including the firearm prize, until it was brought to their attention.
Photo: ABC News / Rhiannon Stevens.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell expressed her shock, saying, “The fact that the duck shooting fraternity thought it was in any way appropriate to take firearms into a school grounds… says absolutely everything that we need to know about them.”
In a statement to the Herald Sun, Oakleigh Grammar Principal Mark Robertson confirmed that the event was not approved due to concerns about its alignment with the school’s values and its potential impact on the community.
“No hire contract has been signed nor have any monies been received by the Victorian Duck Hunters Association,” Mr Robertson said.
A spokesman for the Victorian Duck Hunters Association clarified that firearms would not be brought to the school. He added, “Any winners of such prizes have to be licensed, and the prizes collected from a licensed firearm dealer… a process that is quite onerous.”
The Association is now looking for a larger venue after the cancellation.
Marcus Catsaras, a Tokyo-based weather trader and climate investor, has emerged as one of Australia’s largest political donors, outspending billionaires like Gina Rinehart and Harry Triguboff in recent years.
According to The Nightly, Catsaras, who has donated nearly $2 million over the past two years, is largely funding the federal re-election campaigns of six independent “teal” MPs this year.
Despite his substantial contributions, details about Catsaras’ wealth and businesses remain murky. He is understood to be involved in StepChange, a company trading electricity futures based on weather predictions, but it operates with little public visibility, lacking a detailed website and media presence.
Catsaras is also the managing partner of Aethra, a small climate fund investing in projects like battery storage and experimental technologies for generating natural gas from sunlight and air.
While Aethra’s size raises questions about its ability to support such large donations, Catsaras’ substantial backing of Climate 200 explains his significant contributions.
Though little is known about his personal background, Catsaras is known for his interest in climate change and has supported political figures who advocate for climate action.
He did not respond to inquiries about his donations but has expressed his belief that investing in climate mitigation will ultimately save money.
Greek Australian MP Maria Vamvakinou delivered her farewell speech in the Australian Federal Parliament on Monday, February 10, marking the end of her 24-year tenure as the representative for the seat of Calwell.
In her valedictory speech, Vamvakinou praised multiculturalism as a cornerstone of Australian society, emphasising the importance of overcoming challenges to ensure cohesion and harmonious coexistence.
She reflected on her pride in serving a diverse electorate and her efforts to bring people from various backgrounds together.
Vamvakinou also highlighted her immigrant heritage and her involvement in Melbourne’s Greek community in the 1970s and 1980s before entering politics.
She expressed pride in being the first woman of Greek descent to enter the federal parliament, acknowledging the achievements made throughout her long career.
Renowned Cypriot traditional singer and chanter, Stephanos Pelekanis, visited the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Brisbane in Queensland for a private audience with His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane.
The Bishop, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, warmly welcomed Pelekanis, who was accompanied by Stathi Zambas, President of the Cypriot Association of Queensland.
During the meeting, Pelekanis expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak with the Bishop and chant in Brisbane. He also shared his admiration for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his deep love for the Church.
Bishop Bartholomew thanked Pelekanis for promoting Byzantine music and traditional song, while also conveying the love and blessings of Archbishop Makarios.
He extended his appreciation to Zambas for his efforts to preserve Cypriot customs and traditions in Queensland.
As a token of appreciation, Bishop Bartholomew presented both Pelekanis and Zambas with limited edition medals from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, commemorating its centenary.
Pelekanis then chanted at the Church of Saint George on the first Sunday of the Triodion period.
Two NSW Health nurses have been stood down after a video surfaced showing them allegedly making antisemitic remarks and bragging about refusing to treat Israeli patients.
The video, shared by content creator Max Veifer, featured the male and female nurses from Bankstown Hospital making threatening comments about Israelis, including claims of sending them to “Jahannam” (hell in Islam).
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the identities of the individuals and said they had been stood down pending an investigation.
He emphasised the need for an “ironclad” inquiry and stressed that patients in NSW hospitals must be treated by highly trained professionals who care about their well-being.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park condemned the nurses’ behavior as “vile, shocking, and appalling,” stating that they would never work for NSW Health again.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with Jewish community leaders and politicians calling for strong action.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and local MP Tony Burke also condemned the video, with Burke noting that such hate has no place in Australia’s health system.
NSW Police are investigating the matter as part of a broader effort to tackle antisemitic incidents in the state. The video has raised concerns about possible broader issues of antisemitism at Bankstown Hospital, and an investigation is ongoing.
